After being schooled twice by read-option style quarterbacks in the NFC playoffs, the Atlanta Falcons are going back to school to learn how to better defend them.

SN Falcons correspondent D. Orlando Ledbetter reports for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Mike Smith and the team's coaching staff recently visited nearby Clemson University to get a college perspective on slowing down such players.

NFC rivals like the Seahawks run a formidable read-option offense that gave the Falcons fits on defense last season. (AP Photo)

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney's team features one of FBS' most explosive, fast-paced offenses, led by outstanding dual threat quarterback Tajh Boyd. After the Falcons had so much trouble with Russell Wilson and Colin Kaepernick, Smith and defensive coordinator Mike Nolan are committed to clean up their team's effort, knowing the Seahawks and 49ers will once again be top competition in the NFC this year.

“It’s something that we want to make sure that we have a very good understanding of,” Smith told the Journal-Constitution.

Expect many NFC teams to do their extensive offseason homework on the read option, with Wilson, Kaepernick and the Redskins' Robert Griffin III all leading 2012 playoff teams.